In our fast-paced world, distraction surrounds us. One of the greatest gifts of yoga is offering ancient wisdom that resonates in the modern world. The Yoga Sutras offer a path to hone your focus and more consistently tune out all the external and internal noise and pay attention to what really matters to you. It may sound simple, but don’t confuse simple with easy. Who wants easy though, right?
Let’s dive into Patanjali’s guidebook. The Sutras contain four Padas or chapters filled with sutras, or threads, of knowledge. Basically, Yoga Sutra 1.2 Chitta Vritti Nirodaha translates to mean that yoga is the ability to direct the mind without distraction or interruption. Yoga equals sustained attention. Your mind isn’t stagnant, it’s active but focused. How to achieve this state of mind when you’re dealing with out of control thoughts and emotions?
The fundamental internal obstacles to a state of yoga are the Kleshas, detailed in Sutras 2.3 to 2.11. Without delving too deep, basically the primary root of suffering and the inability to achieve Samadhi lie in the thoughts we cling to that are mistaken perceptions of the world around us. Avidya is the inability to see things as they are. Avidya consists of:
1.Egoism asmita,
2. Aversion dvesa
3. Ignorance--avidya
4. Attachment -raga
5. Fear of death—abhinivesa
The practice of yoga is moving away from these misperceptions toward Viveka, the ability to discern and see clearly. For many of us, we have deep-seated beliefs from our childhood, our lived experience, our relationships, our health…all of it. Perhaps you lost a parent at a young age, or your partner betrayed you, so now you have a fear of abandonment that colors your choices in relationships. You aren’t alone!
Through a dedicated yoga and meditation practice, you can choose to leave some of these traumas in the past and live in the present moment. We cannot change the past or predict the future but if we can see the world around us with more clarity, we can create a life filled with gratitude and contentment. Tuning out distractions, whether they are external or internal, enables us to focus on what we do want. This week’s classes will help!
Find Your Focus Flow - Mary Baker
The Yogic Way: Steady Rhythms - Annie Coyle
Yoga for Focus & Concentration - Jackie Casal Mahrou
Yoga for Strength and Focus - Celest Pereira